DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Status of Claims
Claims 1-17 are cancelled, Claim 18 is currently amended, Claims 19-26 are as previously presented, Claim 27 is withdrawn and currently amended, and Claims 28-34 are withdrawn.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 18-27 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claims 18-20 and 22-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kasperchik et al (US 11,534,824 B2).
Kasperchik et al teaches sintering host metal particles (column 3,lines 36-40). The host metal particles are less than 20 μm (column 6, lines 39 and 40). A flow additive comprises metal oxide nanopowders (column 5, lines 45-52). The flow additives stick to the surface of the host metal particles (column 6, lines 65-67), which reads on a barrier layer enveloping the particles. A binder agent is used (column 12, lines 9 and 10). Sintering and debinding occurs (column 23, lines 46 and 47). The host metal particle size overlaps the claimed range.
Regarding Claim 19, the flow additive is a metal oxide (column 7, line 61).
Regarding Claim 20, the metal oxide includes iron oxide and chromium oxide (column 7, lines 63 and 64); hydroxides (column 9, line 15); and molybdenum oxide (column 8, line 63).
Regarding Claim 22, the flow additive particle size ranges from 5-200 nm (column 6, lines 48 and 49).
Regarding Claim 23, the binder agent includes latexes (column 12, line 14) and methacrylates (column 13, line 17), which are thermoplastics and read on at least partially solidifiable material (lines 24-26)
Regarding Claim 25, latex is a type of elastomer; methacrylates are thermoplastics.
Regarding Claim 26, the material is the composition is spread in layers (column 10, line 19).
Claims 18, 19, and 21-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Creran et al (US 2023/0364860 A1).
Creran et al teaches a method of additive manufacturing comprising depositing a layer of build material powder. A binder composition is deposited on a least a portion of the layer of build material powder [0005]. The powder may be coated with a precursor material and/or catalyst. The method includes sintering the de-bound build material [0070]. The build material powders have a median diameter as high as 10 mm, and a D50 of greater than or equal to 35 microns [0164], which overlaps the claimed range.
Regarding Claim 19, the precursor material includes plastics [0125].
Regarding Claim 21, the coating material includes nylons [0168], which reads on a polyamide.
Regarding Claim 22, the coated material has a thickness of less than or equal to 1 micron or less than or equal to 100 nm [0032], which overlaps the claimed range.
Regarding Claim 23, the binder includes elastomers [0124] and polyurethane [0125].
Regarding Claim 24, the binder composition can be cross-linked by UV light [0048], which reads on using a photoinitiator.
Regarding Claim 25, the binder includes elastomers and polyurethane is a duromer.
Regarding Claim 26, additive manufacturing includes depositing layers [0005].
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Tima M. McGuthry-Banks whose telephone number is (571)272-2744. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Keith D. Hendricks can be reached at (571) 272-1401. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Tima M. McGuthry-Banks
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1733
/TIMA M. MCGUTHRY-BANKS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1733
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